Happy Memorial Day!

Dover Air Force Base,

Delaware, USA 2009

Photo by the Associated Press

Commenting just got easier ...

... I think I just disabled the word verification thing. So if you want to leave a comment all you have to do is type it up and hit submit.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention Jo!

Flirting With Disaster

This weekend I made a casserole that Alex wasn't very impressed with. That's fine. I didn't think she would be. She generally takes exception to most foods. I made the casserole in parts over the course of the weekend. This was so that when it came time to make it, all I had to do was throw everything together. But I think it was a tactical error. Alex had way to much time to think the whole thing over.

While I was chopping an onion...

Alex: What are you doing?
Me: Chopping.
Alex: Why?
Me: What do you mean? (I was trying to be nonchalant.)
Alex: Well are you chopping that onion for a reason or just for the heck of it? Just so you know, I don't like onions.
Me: Point taken.

At the same time I was boiling potatoes. Alex likes potatoes so this part worked in my favor. It distracted her and she dropped the onion conversation.

Of course, sooner or later I was going to have to put it all together and serve the dish. I waited until the last possible second. On Sunday. After taking her to Build-a-Bear (to use a gift card she got for her birthday) and to see Star Trek. She was in a good mood. The odds were tilting towards a neutral reaction.

But the comments started right when I put the bowl in front of her.

Alex: What is this called?
Me: Its a casserole. (I did not tell her that its call Cheeseburger casserole because she hates cheeseburgers. See what I mean about not liking anything?)
Alex (digging through it with her fork): This seems to have a lot of onions.
Me: Don't eat them.

We left it at that for about 5 minutes. Me eating what I have decided is a pretty decent dish and Alex, nibbling here and there. Not willing to say she hates it, but also not willing to just eat it either.

Then it happened.

Alex: Is this a mushroom!?!?!
Me: What? (I tried to play dumb)
Alex: This is a mushroom!
Me: What is?
Alex: This thing on my fork. It came out of the casserole. Are the mushrooms in this?
Me: I don't know why you think it is necessary to run around killing innocent mushrooms with your fork. Just leave them a lone and eat your dinner.
Alex: I didn't run anywhere. It was right here in my bowl. That's how it got to my fork. I hate mushrooms they are gross. I don't want to eat them.
Me: Than why are you stabbing them with your fork? Just leave it alone and eat.
Alex: This is impossible. There is too much to eat around. Is this all we are having?
Me: Yes.
Alex: Okay. I guess I'm full then.

So much for eating the left overs for dinner all week.

I know people say, just make the kids eat what you made. If they don't like it then tough. And I can see the logic in this for say, a family of four. But when its just the two of you? It seems pretty stupid to continually make things that only one of you is going to eat.

Things I learned in Sunday School

This is just my top 10 things I have found during my years of teaching 4th and 5th grade Sunday School.

1. Never throw a bible.

2. Never put a piano in a classroom full of 4th and 5th graders.

3. Glitter is one craft supply that can not be taken lightly.

4. Kids can not be in the same room as a balloon and NOT touch it.

5. Don't let 5th grade boys cut pictures out of magazines.

6. All donuts are created equal in the eyes of children.

7. Girls and boys can not hold hands, even in a prayer circle.

8. Losers always get to go first.

9. If you play a game, expect A LOT of cheating.

10. Kids will only talk when you don't want them to.

Who are you kidding?

Honestly, I am not one of those people that likes to beat up on tween programs and boy bands. I was there. I was once in love with Joey from NKOTB. As an adult I have watch the cartoons I was in love with as a kid, the ones I insisted were "so above what they have now" when I was a teen. I have since realized that the Smurfs and Gummie Bears were indeed stupid shows. The dialogue is horrible. The situations are predictable. Still, I have a special place for them in my heart.

Because of my pop culture infused childhood, I am really forgiving when it comes to things like Hanna Montana: The Movie. Yes, it follows a predictable plot line. The acting isn't going to win anyone an Academy Award. The ending comes as no surprise. I still chuckle at the thought that an entire town would keep Miley's super star secret but, since the townsfolk aren't phased by supper stars like Rascal Flats and Taylor Swift just randomly hanging out on their front porches and showing up at their barbeques I guess its a little more understandable. So unexplainable cameos and ridiculous situations aside, its light hearted fun with out gratuitous violence and explicit sex scenes. Something that I could sit through without rolling my eyes. For that it gets a 4 out of 5 stars.

But of course, no body's perfect right? Last week, I am sorry to say, I meet my match. I found something in the tween genera that even I could not forgive, and that my friends, was Jonas. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the Jonas Brothers. If you ignore their ridiculously skinny jeans and look at them from the waist up (or close your eyes) they aren't that bad. They have some catchy tunes that are fun to sing a long with. I'm afraid that their music is not enough to save their new TV show. That's right, they have their own sitcom now. Sure, roll your eyes, but I watched the New Kid's On the Block animated series. I came to the table with an open mind. I was not ready to dis Jonas out of hand. I think I was half way through the episode that aired last Sunday when I started saying things out loud like "Are they seriously trying to pretend like these guys are in high school?" and "Joe looks older than they guy who is playing their dad!" I know that Nick is really only 16 and I honestly have no idea how old the other 2 are, but you can't pull off "high school" student with a guy who has a 5 o'clock shadow. All the acting was over the top (even by Disney Channel standards). The script was non existent. Words can not describe the horribleness of it. The show sucked so bad I didn't want to watch it because I felt sorry for everyone it. (Not the audience reaction you want for a sitcom).

On this week's episode, the brothers all fall in love with the same pizza delivery girl. Featuring their hit song, I Fell in Love with the Pizza Girl! And hilarity ensues???

God grant me to grace to accept the things I can not change...

Two Steps Closer...

Disney has now released the first official movie poster for their newest hand drawn animated film The Princess and the Frog. And the new trailer can be seen here. Am I the only one with goosebumps? I just hope this movie is half as awesome as the rummors say it is...

It's that time of year again...

Staying cool... Pool Side
Polynesian Resort, Walt Disney World
by Katy 2008

... Summer. It may not officially be summer just yet, but today our high is suppose to be 90 and that is hot enough for me to start thinking about staying cool. Last year I went all summer with my A/C set to 80. This year I am bumping it up to 83. I would turn it off entirely, but I have a dog that stays home all day and daughter that I love dearly and I don't want either of them to have a heat stroke.

So how do I stay cool? Last year I basically just keep the fans going (thank God for old apartments and lots of ceiling fans). This year I am adding a new technique I read over on No Impact Man's blog. That is keeping my windows and blinds closed during the day to keep the heat from the sun out. Sound odd doesn't it? But in the name of staying cool I am willing to give almost anything a try. So this week I have been keeping the blinds closed during the day (I used to crack them open to give my dog some light). I can honestly say that I have noticed a difference. NIM probably doesn't do this, but I still keep one ceiling fan going during the day. Houston is so humid that the air in any space can get heavy and gross when there isn't any circulation going.

My hope is the A/C won't kick on until at least July. Let's see how well we do...

Evil to Him Who Evil Thinks

Micheal Savage is threatening to sue the British Government. I never thought I would say this, but I agree with him. I have to admit, that when they announced the list of people band from entering the UK because of their extremest views and 'hate speech' I was really disappointed. While I have never been to the United Kingdom, I do love the culture. They have a fascinating history and smartest sense of humor. They also have a great tradition (since the Magna Carta) of political tolerance. It is where people like Marx and Lenin went to hang out after being kicked out of their own home countries. So why wasn't it front page news when the "Ban list" started in 2005?

I have to say, its all very disturbing. It is the classic illustration of the proverbial slippery slop. One day you are banning skinhead murderers and Islamic gehadist and the next day you are banning radio talk show personalities that you don't agree with. Now I'm not going to sit here and defend everything Savage has to say. The man is nuts. But a threat to society? Hardly.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Mexico, Epcot
Walt Disney World

by Katy 2008

I honestly don't know why I love this holiday so much. The only thing I really do to celebrate is go out for Mexican food, which is not really all that different from any other day of the week. I guess the only thing that sets this day apart from say, last Tuesday, is the restaurants will be packed, but if you are lucky their will be some great deals on margaritas. I love the 5th of May. I also love that it can be celebrated with pictures from Disney World. (What can't be?) So tonight I hope you find yourself toasting to Mexico's independence with a nice cold margarita in your hand.